For the 2026 school year, there are 72 blue ribbon public elementary schools serving 45,694 students in South Carolina.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in South Carolina are Buist Academy, Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus and Sterling School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Carolina blue ribbon public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the South Carolina public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public elementary school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Elementary Schools in South Carolina (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Gr: 3-8 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #22.
Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus
(Math: 92% | Reading: 97% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1151 Kelly Mill Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-1300
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-1300
Gr: PK-2 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #33.
Sterling School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
99 John Mccarroll Way
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 355-4480
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 355-4480
Gr: PK-8 | 713 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #44.
Mt. Pleasant Academy
(Math: 86% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
605 Center Street
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2826
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2826
Gr: PK-5 | 651 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Tigerville Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
25 Tigerville Elementary Schoo
Taylors, SC 29687
(864) 355-4600
Taylors, SC 29687
(864) 355-4600
Gr: PK-5 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #66.
Belle Hall Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
385 Egypt Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2841
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2841
Gr: PK-5 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
Charles Pinckney Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3300 Thomas Cario Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4585
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4585
Gr: 3-5 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #88.
Rollings Middle School Of The Arts
(Math: 75% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1635 Beech Hill Road
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 873-3610
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 873-3610
Gr: 6-8 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Oakview Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
515 Godfrey Road
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 355-7100
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 355-7100
Gr: PK-5 | 855 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Wren Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
226 Roper Road
Piedmont, SC 29673
(864) 850-5950
Piedmont, SC 29673
(864) 850-5950
Gr: PK-5 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1111.
Beech Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1001 Beech Hill Road
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 821-3970
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 821-3970
Gr: PK-5 | 1,209 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1212.
Clemson Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
581 Berkeley Drive
Clemson, SC 29631
(864) 397-1500
Clemson, SC 29631
(864) 397-1500
Gr: PK-5 | 766 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1313.
Lake Murray Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
205 Wise Ferry Road
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-3100
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-3100
Gr: PK-5 | 867 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1414.
Brockman Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2245 Montclair Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Gr: PK-5 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1515.
Coosa Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
45 Middle Road
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 322-6100
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 322-6100
Gr: PK-5 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1616.
Gold Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 Dave Gibson Boulevard
Fort Mill, SC 29708
(803) 548-8250
Fort Mill, SC 29708
(803) 548-8250
Gr: K-5 | 847 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1717.
Wright Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1136 Wright School Road
Belton, SC 29627
(864) 296-1776
Belton, SC 29627
(864) 296-1776
Gr: K-5 | 199 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1818.
Howe Hall Aims Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
115 Howe Hall Road
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 820-3899
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 820-3899
Gr: K-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1919.
Fairfield Magnet For Math And Science
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1647 Us Highway 321 Bypass Nor
Winnsboro, SC 29180
(803) 635-4810
Winnsboro, SC 29180
(803) 635-4810
Gr: PK-6 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2020.
Ocean Bay Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
950 International Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8400
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8400
Gr: PK-5 | 1,109 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2121.
Jennie Moore Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2725 Bulrush Basket Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2815
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2815
Gr: PK-5 | 999 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2222.
Midway Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
180 Midway Road
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-0300
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-0300
Gr: PK-5 | 864 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Royall Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1101 Cheraw Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8167
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8167
Gr: K-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Skyland Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4221 Highway 14 North
Greer, SC 29651
(864) 355-7200
Greer, SC 29651
(864) 355-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 752 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2525.
Okatie Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
53 Cherry Point Road
Okatie, SC 29909
(843) 322-7700
Okatie, SC 29909
(843) 322-7700
Gr: PK-5 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2626.
St. James Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9711 St. James Road
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-8220
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-8220
Gr: PK-4 | 901 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2727.
Powdersville Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
139 Hood Road
Greenville, SC 29611
(864) 269-4431
Greenville, SC 29611
(864) 269-4431
Gr: 3-5 | 759 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2828.
Spearman Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2001 Easley Highway
Piedmont, SC 29673
(864) 947-9787
Piedmont, SC 29673
(864) 947-9787
Gr: PK-5 | 800 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2929.
Midway Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1221 Harriett Circle
Anderson, SC 29621
(864) 716-3800
Anderson, SC 29621
(864) 716-3800
Gr: PK-5 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #3030.
Carlisle-foster's Grove Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
625 Foster's Grove Road
Chesnee, SC 29323
(864) 578-2215
Chesnee, SC 29323
(864) 578-2215
Gr: PK-5 | 566 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #3131.
Mt. Lebanon Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2850 Lebanon Road
Pendleton, SC 29670
(864) 403-2400
Pendleton, SC 29670
(864) 403-2400
Gr: PK-6 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #3232.
A.j. Whittenberg Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
420 Westfield Street
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 452-0500
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 452-0500
Gr: PK-5 | 479 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #3333.
Forestbrook Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4000 Panthers Parkway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-8100
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-8100
Gr: PK-5 | 881 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Bethel Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
111 Bethel School Road
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 355-4100
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 355-4100
Gr: K-5 | 909 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Ocean Drive Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
901 11th Avenue North
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 663-0195
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 663-0195
Gr: PK-5 | 810 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Show 37 more public schools in South Carolina (out of 72 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in South Carolina?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in South Carolina include Buist Academy, Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus and Sterling School.
How many blue ribbon public elementary schools are located in South Carolina?
72 blue ribbon public elementary schools are located in South Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in South Carolina?
South Carolina blue ribbon public elementary schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public elementary schools average of 53% (majority Black).
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